Accountant (Open Competitive)

DESCRIPTION

There is currently one vacancy for an Accountant in Finance Department - Payroll Division. This eligibility list may be used to fill other vacancies as they occur. This is an Open-Competitive recruitment. This position is open until filled; however, candidates are encouraged to apply immediately. Only online applications will be accepted for this position. The first review of applications will be completed on Monday, April 15, 2024 at 5:00 p.m.

Application and Selection Process

TO APPLY: Each applicant must submit a City of El Segundo Employment Application and respond to the Supplemental Qualifications Questionnaire online. Applicants appearing best qualified based upon a review of the application and responses to supplemental questions will be invited to participate in the testing process. The testing process will consist of a written exam (pass/fail) and a structural technical oral interview (weighted 100%).

Test dates are tentative, and subject to change without prior notice, until qualifying candidates receive written confirmation from the Human Resources Department.

Component

Tentative Test Date

Written Examination

April 24, 2024

Structured Technical Oral Interview

May 1, 2024

The Ideal Candidate:
The City of El Segundo is seeking an Accountant who is independent, organized, detail-oriented, and has excellent written and verbal communication skills. We are looking for someone who is technologically savvy, displays outstanding judgment, and enjoys the challenges of a fast-paced work environment. Candidates who possess a professional certification (i.e. CPA or CPFO) are highly desirable.

DEFINITION: Under general supervision, performs professional accounting and/or payroll duties in preparation of factual and analytical statements and reports; analyzes and evaluates financial records; and performs a wide variety of financial duties requiring confidentiality, independent judgment and decision making.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED: Receives direct supervision from the Finance Manager.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS: Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following duties and responsibilities, knowledge, skills and other characteristics. This list of duties and responsibilities is ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and tasks performed by positions in this class.

Characteristic Duties and Responsibilities:

The following essential functions are typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all of the listed functions and/or may be required to perform additional or different functions from those below to address business needs and changing business practices:

Performs accounting assignments that encompass the full cycle of accounting activities such as establishing and maintaining accounting and subsidiary records, reconciles general ledger and subsidiary accounts, prepares financial reports, processes journal entries, and posts cash receipts;

Analyzes and verifies financial documents and other financial entries for accuracy and compliance with established accounting and auditing procedures;

Originates journal entries, reconciles bank statements, prepares reconciliations, trial balances and maintains a variety of financial schedules, records and files;

Ensures proper accounting for revenue, expenditures/expenses, capital assets and equipment replacement management;

Analyzes expenditures to proper accounts, analyzes budget variances, projects estimated expenditures /expenses and prepares adjustments in the maintenance of budgetary controls;

Develops, implements, and monitors accounting procedures and reports;

Prepares financial statements, reports and analyses utilizing computer applications;

Explains and interprets existing accounting and fiscal policies and procedures to City personnel, auditors, and general public;

Performs Federal, State, and other governmental agency grants accounting and reporting, and other periodic compliance audits throughout the year;

Ensures proper closing of the City's financial records at the end of the accounting period;

Participates in the annual year-end audit, prepare supporting schedules and worksheets as required by external auditors, and assists in the preparation of the City's Annual Comprehensive Financial Report;

Participates in the preparation and implementation of the City's annual operating and capital budgets;

Conducts and/or coordinates internal and external audits of financial records; examines, analyzes and verifies documents to ensure adherence to established internal controls and accepted professional standards;

Delivers outstanding internal and external customer service while solving problems and pro-actively creates sustainable solutions to issues;

Conducts duties, responsibilities, tasks and assignments with a constructive, cooperative, positive, professional attitude and demeanor;

Regularly and predictably attends work; and

Performs other related as assigned.

In addition to the essential duties listed above, the payroll assignment below includes the following:

Payroll:

Coordinates and performs payroll accounting operational functions; evaluates accounting procedures and fiscal practices and recommends and assists in implementing new or revised payroll accounting systems, procedures and records; participates in developing computer programs for payroll accounting analyses;

Prepares bi-weekly payroll warrants, payroll registers and reports; prepares magnetic media for storage of payroll records; prepares tax return and other reporting documentation related to payroll matters; compiles routine reports related to payroll activity; merges payroll records in Finance System; serves as the payroll/timekeeping liaison with department timekeepers, employees and management; prepares handbooks and manuals related to payroll procedures and conducts training related to payroll processing;

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND OTHER CHARACTERISTICS:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

Knowledge of:

Principles and practices of accounting, auditing, payroll, and budgeting;

Data processing applications related to accounting and budgeting procedures and practices;

State and federal laws related to payroll, compensation, and benefits; and

Knowledge of general office procedures.

Skill in:

Applying and adapting established accounting principles and procedures to City payroll accounting applications;

Interpreting and applying payroll accounting-related laws, ordinances, rules, regulations, policies and procedures;

Performing professional level staff support related to the administration of the City’s employer-employee relations program;

Analyzing data and drawing logical conclusions;

Preparing and maintaining accurate reports and records;

Using standard office computer programs, including spreadsheets;

Communicating effectively both orally and in writing;

Making effective oral presentations;

Operating computers and related software;

Appearing for work on time;

Following directions from a supervisor;

Understanding and following posted work rules and procedures;

Accepting constructive criticism; and

Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with other department staff, other City employees and the public, and in functioning effectively in a confidential work environment.

QUALIFICATIONS

QUALIFICATIONS:

A combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities may be qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Experience: Two (2) years of accounting-related experience is required. Experience processing payroll transactions and performing complex calculations pertaining to employee earnings for the payroll assignment is preferred.

Education: Bachelor’s degree (120 units) with major coursework in accounting, business administration or a closely related field is required.

Licensing/Certificates: Due to the performance of some field duties which requires the operation of a personal or City vehicle, valid and appropriate California driver's license and acceptable driving record are required.

Disaster Service Worker: In accordance with Government Code Section 3100, City of El Segundo employees, in the event of a disaster, are considered disaster service workers and may be asked to respond accordingly.

The City of El Segundo is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to supporting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives to build and sustain an environment that values diversity, welcomes opportunities to engage and understand others, and fosters a sense of belonging.